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DEVELOPING PROBLEM OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG JUVENILE OFFENDERS (FROM WHO CAN HELP? - PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN HELPING JUVENILE OFFENDERS, 1974 - SEE NCJ-55758)

NCJ Number
55770
Author(s)
A C SEGAL
Date Published
1974
Length
5 pages
Annotation
USING DATA FROM A NUMBER OF STUDIES, TRENDS IN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG YOUTH ARE DISCUSSED AND THE NEED FOR EDUCATION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS ADVISED.
Abstract
THE CONCLUSIONS PRESENTED ARE DERIVED FROM THE FOLLOWING STUDIES: (1) A STUDY BY NELSON THAT INCLUDED REPORTING OF THE AGES OF THOSE IN AN ALCOHOLISM PROGRAM IN VIETNAM, (2) A STUDY OF A STATESIDE ARMY POPULATION THAT FOUND THE AGE GROUP AT HIGHEST RISK FOR ABUSIVE DRINKING TO BE 17-24, AND (3) A STUDY OF ALCOHOL USE AMONG THE 10TH AND 12TH GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT BODY IN HOWARD COUNTY, MD., IN 1973. RESULTS SHOW THERE IS AN INCREASING PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AMONG YOUTHS. PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD ARE REPORTING GREATER USE OF ALCOHOL AMONG JUVENILES (ALTHOUGH VALID STATISTICAL COMPARATIVE DATA ARE NOT AVAILABLE), AND THE TREND IS LIKELY TO ACCELERATE WITH THE LOWERING OF LEGAL AGE OF DRINKING. THERE WILL ALSO BE INCREASING LIKELIHOOD OF LEGAL VIOLATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIAL DISINHIBITION BROUGHT ABOUT BY ALCOHOL USE. TRENDS SHOW THERE WILL BE A GREATER NEED FOR A BROAD EFFORT TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE AND SOCIETY AT LARGE ABOUT RESPONSIBLE DRINKING. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN INCREASING NEED FOR EDUCATION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO REACH YOUNG PEOPLE BOTH IN THE POPULATION AT LARGE AND SPECIFICALLY THOSE CONTACTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. CATEGORIES OF OFFENDERS ASOCIATED WITH ABUSIVE DRINKING ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) OFFENDERS WITH LEGAL VIOLATIONS DUE DIRECTLY TO ILLEGAL CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OR USE, WITHOUT OTHER OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS OR PROPERTY; (2) OFFENDERS WHO COMMIT CRIMES WHILE INTOXICATED, BUT WOULD HAVE COMMITTED SIMILAR CRIMES EVEN IF SOBER; (3) OFFENDERS SIMILAR TO CATEGORY 2, BUT WITH INCREASED VIOLENCE ASSOCIATED WITH IMPAIRED EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND RATIONALITY SECONDARY TO INTOXICATION; AND (4) OFFENDERS WHO COMMIT CRIMES WHILE INTOXICATED WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IF SOBER (DISINHIBITION OF SOCIAL CONTROLS). (RCB)